So now we know that chytrid fungus causes a disease called chytridiomycosis that can kill frogs and other amphibians. There are all kinds of chytrids in the world, and they have been around for a long time. Some chytrids aid in the breakdown of plant matter. Others aid in insect keratin breakdown. In fact, chytrids have been found everywhere except Antarctica.

Amphibian chytrid is BD or (Batrachochytrum dendrobatidis). Dendrobatids are frogs from the Dart frog family. BD was probably seen in these frogs when it was first described, hence the name. BD was discovered in Central America and Australia around the same time. BD is decimating frogs like the Panamanian Golden Frog.

So if chytrids have been around for a long time and they seem essential to the environment, why are they killing frogs now? That is a tough question that is being asked by many scientists. Amphibians are under fire from many threats. It’s possible that these synergisms (multiple threats) are giving many species the final one, two, punch.

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